Chassis component, wherein a sensor element is arranged on a fastening section of the chassis component

Abstract

Chassis component, wherein a sensor element (4) is arranged on a fastening section (2) of the chassis component (1, 13, 15), wherein at least one pin section (7, 14, 16) extends into the sensor housing (5) or through the sensor housing (5), whereby the sensor element (4) is held and / or secured on the fastening section (2), characterized in that the fastening section (2) has the at least one pin section (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a chassis component, wherein a sensor element is arranged on a fastening section of the chassis component. At least one pin section extends into or through the sensor housing, whereby the sensor element is held and / or secured to the fastening section.

[0002] Such a chassis component is known from the generic document DE 10 2020 208 490 A1.

[0003] From DE 10 2019 204 658 A1, it is known that an electronic component or a sensor element is arranged in a receptacle of the chassis component, wherein the sensor element is attached or secured to the receptacle by means of an additional retaining element. The retaining element is placed over an outer side of the sensor element and the receptacle and is latched and / or snapped to an outer side of the receptacle. The chassis component is designed here as a closure element for a ball joint.

[0004] A corresponding additional retaining element for securing the sensor element to the mounting section of the chassis component takes up additional installation space. However, installation space is often limited, particularly in a vehicle and / or in a vehicle's chassis. Furthermore, the retaining element, as an additional component, leads to increased manufacturing and / or assembly costs.

[0005] The object underlying the invention is to further develop a chassis component and / or a method of the type mentioned above in such a way that the required installation space and / or the manufacturing and assembly costs are minimized. In particular, an alternative embodiment is to be provided.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is achieved with a chassis component according to claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims and in the following description.

[0007] The chassis component according to the invention has a fastening section, wherein a sensor element is arranged on the fastening section of the chassis component. In particular, the sensor element is a component of the chassis component and / or the chassis component has the sensor element. Preferably, the chassis component is designed as a closure element or as a closure cover for a joint or as a joint housing of a joint. The joint can be implemented as a ball joint, in particular a ball-and-socket joint or a ball-and-socket joint. Alternatively, the chassis component can be designed as a chassis link.

[0008] The chassis component and / or the sensor element can be designed as a component of a device for determining a relative position of two joint parts of a joint that are movably connected to one another or to one another. Preferably, a first joint part has a magnet, and a second joint part has a magnetic field-sensitive sensor. In particular, the sensor element has a magnetic field-sensitive sensor. Thus, the second joint part can be designed as the sensor element, or the second joint part can have the sensor element. In particular, the second joint part implements the chassis component. The magnet can be a component of the first joint part, which is in particular movably mounted in the joint. For example, the magnet is accommodated in a joint ball of the first joint part. The first joint part can be designed as a ball stud or as a ball sleeve.

[0009] To hold and / or secure the sensor element to the mounting portion, at least one pin portion extends into or through the sensor housing. This can prevent the sensor element from becoming accidentally detached from the mounting portion or the chassis component.

[0010] The advantage here is that a suitably designed pin section can be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner. A more complex additional holding element for implementing a locking and snap-in connection can be dispensed with. Furthermore, an overall compact design can be achieved. The pin section can be designed as a stand-alone component, in particular as a pin element, or as a threaded section of a screw. When designed as a pin element, this pin element can have a cylindrical shape. Such stand-alone components in the form of a pin element or a screw are preferably standardized components that are inexpensive to procure.

[0011] The pin section, particularly when designed as an independent component in the form of a pin element or a screw, can extend from an outer side of the fastening section through a through-hole in the fastening section into a recess in a sensor housing of the sensor element. The recess can be designed as a blind hole. The through-hole can be designed as a bore or punched out portion. In particular, the pin section extends from the outer side of the fastening section through the through-hole into the region of a receptacle of the fastening section, wherein the sensor element is received in the receptacle. The pin section is preferably pressed or screwed into the recess in the sensor housing. Mounting or securing the sensor element to the fastening section can thus be implemented in a simple manner.

[0012] According to the invention, the fastening section has at least one pin section. Preferably, the at least one pin section is formed as a one-piece or integral component of the fastening section. In particular, the fastening section has a plurality of pin sections. For example, the fastening section can have three pin sections. The plurality of pin sections can be evenly distributed on the fastening section.

[0013] The fastening section can have or form a receptacle for the sensor element. The sensor element is at least partially arranged in the receptacle. The receptacle can be designed as a blind hole. Furthermore, the fastening section and / or the receptacle can be made of metal. The receptacle and / or the fastening section has an end face, with the at least one pin section extending away from the end face. In particular, the end face is formed on an edge and / or a collar of the fastening section or the receptacle.

[0014] According to one development, the sensor element and / or a sensor housing of the sensor element has a connecting section. The sensor housing and / or the connecting section can be formed from a plastic material. The connecting section is received in the receptacle. The connecting section of the sensor element and the receptacle of the fastening section can be designed to correspond in shape to one another. In particular, the connecting section is received in the receptacle with a form-fitting fit. The sensor element and / or the sensor housing rests on the end face of the receptacle and encompasses an outer side of the fastening section. In particular, the sensor element and / or the sensor housing rests on the outer side of the fastening section. The end face preferably extends transversely or at right angles to the outer side of the fastening section.

[0015] The connecting section can be held in the receptacle by means of an additional press connection. To implement the press connection, several compression ribs can be arranged and / or formed between the connecting section and the receptacle. These compression ribs can be formed as an integral component of the receptacle and / or the connecting section. The press connection, which is additional to the integral connection, ensures a sufficiently secure hold, at least temporarily, immediately after the sensor element is arranged on the fastening section.

[0016] Preferably, the sensor element and / or the sensor housing of the sensor element has a through-hole through which the pin section extends, in particular in a form-fitting manner. The through-hole can be produced by means of a punch or bore. Alternatively, the through-hole can be realized during the injection-molded production of the sensor housing.

[0017] The sensor element and / or the sensor housing can have a ring section, wherein the through-opening is formed in the ring section. In particular, the ring section rests against the end face of the receptacle. With multiple pin sections, the sensor element and / or the sensor housing has multiple through-openings, wherein the number and positioning of the multiple pin sections and the multiple through-openings correspond to one another.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the at least one pin section cooperates with a retaining ring to hold and / or secure the sensor element. The retaining ring engages around and / or surrounds an outer side of the sensor element and / or the sensor housing and / or bears against this outer side. In particular, the retaining ring is formed from metal or a sheet metal material. Preferably, the retaining ring is pressed onto and / or around the sensor housing. The retaining ring can rest on or bear against the ring section of the sensor element and / or the sensor housing. In particular, the retaining ring bears against the ring section on a side of the ring section facing away from the end face.

[0019] According to a further development, the retaining ring has at least one opening, wherein the pin portion extends through the opening and the retaining ring is held positively and / or non-positively on the pin portion. Preferably, the retaining ring is pressed onto the at least one pin portion. In particular, the retaining ring and the pin portion are interlocked. This reliably prevents unintentional detachment of the retaining ring from the pin portion and thus ultimately detachment of the sensor element from the fastening portion.

[0020] According to a further development, the opening of the retaining ring for receiving and / or passing through the pin section has a plurality of inwardly extending teeth that engage with the pin section. In particular, the teeth are aligned obliquely to a longitudinal extension or longitudinal axis of the pin sections.

[0021] Preferably, the teeth for blocking detachment of the retaining ring from the pin portion are oriented obliquely to the longitudinal extension or longitudinal axis of the pin portion and toward a free end of the pin portion. The alignment of the teeth thus counteracts any detachment movement.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the receptacle is designed as an annular or C-shaped protrusion. The receptacle can thus be designed as a closed annular shape or as an open annular shape with a gap. Preferably, the open annular shape with the gap is referred to as C-shaped in the context of the present application. In particular, the connecting section and / or a sensor housing of the sensor element is designed to correspond in shape to the annular or C-shaped receptacle.

[0023] According to a further development, the sensor element and / or the sensor housing of the sensor element extends outwards from the receptacle designed as a C-shaped elevation in order to implement a predetermined positioning of the sensor element in relation to the fastening section. The sensor element and / or the sensor housing rests against at least one opening edge of the receptacle. In particular, the receptacle designed as a C-shaped elevation has a gap from which the sensor element and / or the sensor housing extends outwards. Preferably, the gap simultaneously forms two opening edges facing away from one another, against which the sensor element and / or the sensor housing rests. This results in a clear positioning or alignment of the sensor element in relation to the receptacle or the fastening section.

[0024] A method for producing a chassis component according to the invention is particularly advantageous, wherein the sensor element is arranged on the fastening section of the chassis component. To hold and / or secure the sensor element on the fastening section, at least one pin section extending into or through the sensor housing is arranged.

[0025] In particular, the chassis component produced according to the method according to the invention is a previously described chassis component according to the invention. The method is preferably further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the chassis component according to the invention described here. Furthermore, the chassis component described here can be further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the method.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like, similar, or functionally identical components or elements. They show: Fig. 1 a sectional side view of a first chassis component according to the invention, Fig. 2 a sectional side view of a second chassis component according to the invention, Fig. 3 a section of a perspective and sectional side view of a further chassis component according to the invention, Fig. 4 a perspective side view of the further chassis component according to Fig. 3 without a sensor element, Fig. 5 a plan view of a retaining ring for the further chassis component according to Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 a section of a perspective side view of the retaining ring according to Fig. 5.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of a first chassis component 1 according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the chassis component 1 is designed as a closure cover for a ball joint (not shown in detail here) in a chassis of a vehicle. The chassis component 1 has a fastening section 2. The fastening section 2 is formed from a metallic material. Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the fastening section 2 is arranged in a central region of the chassis component 1. The fastening section 2 has a receptacle 3 or forms the receptacle 3.

[0028] In this exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 3 is designed like a blind hole. Furthermore, the chassis component 1 has a sensor element 4. The sensor element 4 is partially arranged in the receptacle 3. The sensor element 4 has a sensor housing 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor housing 5 is made of a plastic material. The sensor element 4 or the sensor housing 5 is designed to be arranged in the receptacle 3 so as to at least partially correspond in shape to the receptacle 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor element 4 or the sensor housing 5 has a connecting section 6. The connecting section 6 is received in the receptacle 3. According to this exemplary embodiment, the connecting section 6 is received or arranged in the receptacle 3 in a form-fitting manner. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting section 6 is cylindrical and the receptacle 3 forms an annular shape corresponding thereto.

[0029] To secure and hold the sensor element 4 to the fastening section 2, the chassis component 1 according to this embodiment has two pin sections 7. According to this embodiment, the pin sections 7 are implemented as threaded sections of a screw 8. The pin sections 7 extend from an outer side 9 of the fastening section 2 through a respective through-hole 10 of the fastening section 2 into a blind-hole-like recess 11 of the sensor housing 5. The pin section 7, which here is designed as a threaded section of the screw 8, is screwed into the recess 11. A screw head 12 of the screw 8 rests against the outer side 9. By means of the screws 8, the sensor element 4 is held or secured to the fastening section 2 in a simple and effective manner. The screws 8 also enable easy disassembly or replacement of the sensor element 4.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of a second chassis component 13 according to the invention. Identical features bear the same reference numerals as before. To avoid repetition, reference is also made to the preceding description.

[0031] In contrast to the chassis component 1 according to Fig. 1, the chassis component 13 shown here has pin sections 14 for holding or securing the sensor element 4 to the fastening section 2. The pin sections 14 are designed as independent components, namely as pin elements. The pin sections 14 extend from the outer side 9 of the fastening section 2 through a respective through-hole 10 of the fastening section 2 into the recess 11 of the sensor housing 5. According to this exemplary embodiment, the pin sections 14 are pressed into the recess 11. This ensures sufficient securing of the sensor element 4 to the fastening section 2 or in the receptacle 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the pin sections 14, which are completely pressed into the recess 11, protrude beyond the outer side 9. Alternatively, the pin sections 14 can be flush with the outer side 9 in their assembled state.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a section of a perspective and sectional side view of a further chassis component 15 according to the invention. The same features have the same reference numerals as before.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fastening section 2 has several pin sections 16. Only one of the pin sections 16 is visible here. The pin sections 16 extend through the sensor housing 5 of the sensor element 4. The sensor housing 5 surrounds the receptacle 3 and rests against the outer side 9.

[0034] In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor housing 5 has an annular section 17. The annular section 17 has through-openings 18 whose shape corresponds to the pin section 16. The pin section 16 extends through the through-opening 18. The chassis component 15 shown here also has a retaining ring 19. The pin section 16 and the retaining ring 19 cooperate to hold and secure the sensor element 4 to the fastening section 2. The retaining ring 19 engages around or runs around an outer side 20 of the sensor element 4 or the sensor housing 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the retaining ring 19 bears against the outer side 20. The outer side 20 is cylindrical. Starting from the outer side 20, the annular section 17 extends radially outwards. Furthermore, the retaining ring 19 bears against the annular section 17 or rests on it.To assemble the retaining ring 19, it is pressed onto the pin sections 16.

[0035] For this purpose, the retaining ring 19 has an opening 21 for each of the pin sections 16. The pin section 16 extends through the opening 21, with the retaining ring 19 being held on the pin section 16 in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner. According to this exemplary embodiment, the retaining ring 19 engages the pin section 16. Here, a free end of the pin section 16 protrudes beyond the retaining ring 19. Alternatively, the free end of the pin section 16 can be flush with the retaining ring 19.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a perspective side view of the further chassis component 15 according to Fig. 3 without the sensor element 4. Clearly visible here are the three pin sections 16, which are designed as integral components of the fastening section 2 or the receptacle 3. The pin sections 16 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the fastening section 2.

[0037] Furthermore, the fastening section 2 or the receptacle 3 in this embodiment is designed as an open ring shape with a gap 22. This open ring shape with the gap 22 is also referred to as a C-shaped elevation in the context of the present application. Thus, the receptacle 3 in this embodiment is designed as a C-shaped elevation. The gap 22 forms two mutually facing and spaced-apart opening edges 23, 24. The connecting section 6 and the sensor housing 5 of the sensor element 4 according to Fig. 3 are designed to correspond in shape to this C-shaped receptacle 3. For arranging the sensor element 4 on the fastening section 2 according to Fig. 3, the connecting section 6 is arranged in a form-fitting manner in the receptacle 3, so that the sensor housing 5 extends outward from the receptacle 3 and through the gap 22. The sensor housing 5 rests against the two opening edges 23, 24. This results in a predetermined positioning of the sensor element 4 relative to the fastening section 2.

[0038] The fastening section 2 or the receptacle 3 has an end face 25, with the pin sections 16 extending away from the end face 25. The pin sections 16 are aligned parallel to one another.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the retaining ring 19 for the further chassis component 15 according to Fig. 3. The retaining ring 19 has corresponding to the pin sections 16 according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 formed openings 21. The openings 21 each have several, in this embodiment three, inwardly extending teeth 26. For better clarity, not all of the teeth 26 are provided with a reference numeral. The teeth 26 engage in the assembled state according to Fig. 3 with the pin section 16. In addition, the retaining ring 19 forms a central opening 27 in order to insert the retaining ring 19 according to Fig. 3 on or around the sensor housing 5.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows a section of a perspective side view of the retaining ring 19. The formation and orientation of a tooth 26 can be clearly seen. In the assembled state according to Fig.3, the teeth 26 extend obliquely to a longitudinal extension of the pin sections 16. According to this exemplary embodiment, the teeth 26 are aligned obliquely to the longitudinal extension of the respective pin section 16 and in the direction of a free end of the respective pin section 16. As a result, the teeth 26 counteract the detachment of the retaining ring 19 from the pin sections 16. Reference symbol 1 chassis component 2 fastening section 3 Recording 4 Sensor element 5 Sensor housing 6 connecting section 7 pin section 8 screw 9 Outside 10 through hole 11 Deepening 12 screw head 13 Chassis component 14 pin section 15 Chassis component 16 pin section 17 ring section 18 passage opening 19 Retaining ring 20 Outside 21 Opening 22 gap 23 Opening edge 24 Opening edge 25 front side 26 tooth 27 Central opening

Claims

[1] Chassis component, wherein a sensor element (4) is arranged on a fastening section (2) of the chassis component (1, 13, 15), wherein at least one pin section (7, 14, 16) extends into the sensor housing (5) or through the sensor housing (5), whereby the sensor element (4) is held and / or secured on the fastening section (2), characterized by that the fastening section (2) has at least one pin section (16). [2] Chassis component according to claim 1, characterized by that the fastening section (2) has a plurality of pin sections (16), preferably the plurality of pin sections (16) are evenly distributed on the fastening section (2). [3] Chassis component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the fastening section (2) has a receptacle (3) for the sensor element (4) and the sensor element (4) is arranged at least partially in the receptacle (3), wherein the receptacle (3) has an end face (25) and the at least one pin section (16) extends away from the end face (25). [4] Chassis component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the sensor element (4) and / or a sensor housing (5) of the sensor element (4) has a connecting section (6), wherein the connecting section (6) is received in the receptacle (3) and the sensor element (4) and / or the sensor housing (5) rests on the end face (25) of the receptacle (3) and engages around an outer side (9) of the fastening section (2), preferably the connecting section (6) is held in the receptacle (3) by means of an additional press connection. [5] Chassis component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the sensor element (4) and / or a sensor housing (5) of the sensor element (4) has a through-opening (18) through which the pin section (16) extends, in particular in a form-fitting manner, preferably the through-opening (18) is formed in a ring section (17) of the sensor element (4) and / or the sensor housing (5). [6] Chassis component according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by in that the pin section (16) cooperates with a retaining ring (19), whereby the sensor element (4) is held and / or secured, wherein the retaining ring (19) engages around an outer side (20) of the sensor element (4) and / or of a sensor housing (5) of the sensor element (4) and / or bears against this outer side (20), in particular the retaining ring (19) is pressed onto the at least one pin section (16), preferably the retaining ring (19) lies on a ring section (17) of the sensor element (4) and / or of the sensor housing (5). [7] Chassis component according to claim 6, characterized by that the retaining ring (19) has at least one opening (21), wherein the pin portion (16) extends through the opening (21) and the retaining ring (19) is held positively and / or non-positively on the pin portion (16), in particular the retaining ring (19) and the pin portion (16) are interlocked with one another. [8] Chassis component according to claim 7, characterized by in that the opening (21) has a plurality of inwardly extending teeth (26) which engage with the pin section (16), in particular the teeth (26) are aligned obliquely to a longitudinal extent of the pin sections (16), preferably the teeth (26) for blocking a detachment of the retaining ring (19) from the pin section (16) are aligned obliquely to the longitudinal extent of the pin section (16) and in the direction of a free end of the pin section (16). [9] Chassis component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the chassis component (1, 13, 15) is designed as a closure element or as a closure cover for a ball joint, in particular the fastening section (2) is made of a metallic material and / or a sensor housing (5) of the sensor element (4) is made of a plastic material.

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